Houthi Rebels Strike Two Ships in Red Sea, Escalating Tensions Amid Israel-Hamas War

Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a coordinated attack on two commercial ships in the Red Sea on Tuesday, marking their first assaults on shipping in weeks, The Associated Press reports.

The attacks come as the Israel-Hamas conflict escalates and threatens to spill over into the region.

The first attack targeted the Panama-flagged oil tanker, Cordelia Moon, roughly 70 miles off the port city of Hodeida. The vessel sustained damage to one of its ballast tanks after being struck by an explosive-laden drone. The second attack involved a missile targeting a separate ship also headed north towards the Suez Canal. Both vessels had armed security personnel on board.

Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying they were retaliation for Israeli actions against Hamas in Gaza. The Houthis have previously targeted ships they allege are linked to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom, citing their efforts to force an end to the ongoing conflict. However, many of the vessels attacked have had little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.

The Red Sea has become a focal point for escalating tensions as the Houthis have targeted over 80 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Gaza war began last October. This latest attack follows a pattern of escalating Houthi aggression, including a recent attack on American warships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which was successfully intercepted by the US Navy.

The attacks raise concerns about the safety of shipping lanes in the Red Sea, a vital waterway for global trade.